BRIDGE: MARK ANGELO BELLO

When thinking about an experience that connected me most to my Filipinx culture I always think of my time with SAYAW. SAYAW is FASA sa UW’s traditional Filipino dance troupe and is the place where I learned and gained the most appreciation for my Filipinx culture. Every practice, every waltz, each dance, each suite and the history that comes with them was something I never had growing up and I am fortunate to have had amazing teachers in Ate Liezel and Kuya Pat. Performing with the troupe for Simbang Gabi and watching my friends perform during FASA’s Filipino Night, Pagdiriwang at the Seattle Center, and Pista Sa Nayon in the summer were and continue to be moments that fill me with pride in being Filipinx.

Mark graduated from the University of Washington Seattle in 2014 with a degree in communications and is currently a Diversity Coordinator at the University of Washington.